Jamie Dyer takes a look at a big-screen adaptation of a classic British radio show from the 1950s. Does it still stand up to modern viewing?
Film: Life with the Lyons
Director: Val Guest
Release Year: 1954
Genre: Comedy
In recent months, Talking Pictures TV has been playing a variety of films from The vaults of Hammer Films; many of these have been unseen on television for many years. One such title is the 1954 film adaptation of Life with the Lyons. Originally a radio program that aired on BBC Radio from 1950 to 1961, the show starred the actual Lyon family portraying fictionalized versions of themselves.
I have always been fascinated with the idea that an American family, containing two Hollywood veterans, came to the UK and had a national radio sitcom. I have been listening to the radio version for a number of years, and it has always struck me how much of American old-time radio flavours they brought to these shores. I was intrigued to see how the show would translate to the big screen.
Synopsis
Ben and Bebe Lyon, along with their children, settle into a new residence in Marble Arch, facing the problem of an unsigned lease. The film, adapted from various scripts of the radio show, chronicles their adventures living in the home.
In their endeavours, not only do they strive to win over their landlord, Mr Hemingway, but we also witness Ben’s efforts in constructing a rock pool garden, Barbara’s unexpected engagement, and Richard’s challenges in warding off Hemingway’s daughter Violet.
Analysis
I believe it’s fair to say that this production was made on a budget. It has the stagey feel of British cinema during that period and uses a limited number of sets designed by Wilfred Arnold. The peril of a cheaply made film can be that a bad performance can sink it without redemption. Thankfully that isn’t the case here. The two Hollywood veterans bring their years of experience to the comedy, with archetypal yet accomplished performances. The two teenagers, Barbara and Richard, appear as typical 1950s teens. The acting may appear ropey or hammy by modern standards, but they do their best with the material they’re given.
Guest and Robert Dunbar wrote the script, adapting it from scripts by Bebe Daniels, Bob Block, and Bill Harding. The script felt quite wordy, expected given the source material; The delivery helped to alleviate this a little. The dialogue at times felt quite pacy for a British film. The mostly American cast delivers lines at a rapid pace, adding to the chaotic vibe at times. The humour is obvious by today’s standards, but there are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments, aided by facial expressions. Aside from a few outdated terms or references, the script in this film felt pretty inoffensive.
This is one of those films that can either feel like lots of things are happening or nothing is happening. The director, Val Guest, appeared to have to do a lot of manoeuvring to get scenes timed perfectly. There is a scene involving a lot of extras, navigating that visual chaos could not have been easy. I particularly enjoyed the moments of physical humour, no matter how obvious it appears to modern audiences. There is a scene where the family are trying to fix a plumbing problem with Mr Wimple. Bebe constantly mentioning the overflow and then getting drenched herself was obvious but I still laughed.
Personal Notes
I was thrilled to see that a number of the original radio voices made it into the film adaptation. It simply wouldn’t have felt complete without Molly Weir, Horace Percival, and Doris Rogers, who portray Aggie, Mr. Wimple, and Florrie Wainwright, respectively. Their prescience while seeming odd on the radio, helped elevate the whole production. Weir, in particular, was a force to be reckoned with in the few scenes she has, especially when tackling Slim Cassidy, played by Arthur Hill, about the validity of Haggis
The character of Violet Hemingway was played competently by Belinda Lee. She plays a posh girl English stereotype, but there are flashes of physical brilliance. Similar could be said of her father, played by Hugh Morton. The only thing that falls flat with these characters are the reliance on a repeated joke to fill a beat.
Hollywood Legends
While I enjoyed the performances of all the cast, especially those who graduated from the radio, I have to give a special mention in particular to Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels.
Mr Lyon plays the archetypal American father with a sprinkle of Robert Young, and a comic flair reminiscent of Jack Benny. He is possibly the most physical in what can sometimes feel like a static production. There are a lot of moments where he finds himself covered in water.
I want to put it on record that I am somewhat in love with Bebe Daniels. Her talent is vastly underrated, especially when you realize that much of the comedic material most probably originated at her feet. She has excellent screen prescience and comic timing, and I do love her facial expressions; All factors which help to make a radio script into something visual.
The only thing I occasionally have trouble with is that her character seems to deviate between two modes. In several scenes, she will play everything with an air of innocence and confusion that would make Gracie Allen proud. In others, she brings a feisty edge reminiscent of Mary Livingstone. It can feel like her personality changes to fit the scene, but I must state for the record that she was competent in every one. So much so that there is a roundedness to the character, aided by her abilities.
Conclusion
This is a film that will be like Marmite to some viewers. They may find the humour a little archaic or the performances a tad hammy. The beauty of a film like this is that it is a snapshot of a certain point in time. The filmmakers were capitalizing on the success of a national radio show fronted by two Hollywood Legends. The Lyon family’s main strengths may lie in the competence of the older performers, but the entire family has a likeability about them. The production may have a budget quality, but there is a charm that comes with it. It’s a British production drenched in American influence.
If you loved the radio show, you’re going to love this as it has all the elements. If you’re a casual observer who knows little about the Lyons, this is a curiosity piece. For this reviewer, I loved it and all of its flaws!
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